Day/night optical guiding apparatus

Abstract

A day/night guided weapon including a chassis, apparatus for providing gud driving of the chassis, an intensified CCD camera mounted on the chassis for providing optical target acquisition under reduced light condition and a high intensity light source mounted on the chassis for providing illumination of a desired area.

I claim: 
     
       1. A day/night guided weapon comprising: a chassis;   a guided chassis driver operative to provide guided driving of the chassis;   an intensified CCD camera mounted on the chassis for providing optical target acquistion;   a retractable platform mounted on the chassis for mounting auxiliary guiding or target acquisition equipment; and   a light source mounted on the chassis for providing illumination of at least a selected area of the target, wherein the light source has an intensity sufficient to illuminate the selected area to the extent required for the camera to provide an image of the selected area, and wherein the light source is mounted on the retractable platform.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the retractable platform is retractable so as to reduce drag on the guided weapon. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the retractable platform is retractable so as to protect the light source. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the retractable platform is extendible so as to facilitate orientation of the platform. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 1 and also including an extending mechanism associated with the retractable platform and also including means for activating the extending mechanism of the retractable platform according to commands. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for activating the extending mechanism of the retractable platform is operative for extending the platform when the target scene illuminance falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 6 and also including a light source activator operative to activate the light source according to commands. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 7 and also including a light source activator operative to activate the light source when the target scene illuminance falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim 7 and also including a second camera adapted for tracking during daylight. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the guided weapon is an airborne weapon. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus according to claim 6 and also including a second camera adapted for tracking during daylight. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the light source activator includes a light source director operative to direct the light source towards the bearing of at least one camera. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the light source activator includes a light source director operative to direct the light source away from the bearing of at least one camera for deception purposes. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the guided weapon is an airborne weapon. 
     
     
       15. A day/night guided weapon comprising: a chassis;   a guided chassis driver operative to provide guided driving of the chassis;   an intensified CCD camera mounted on the chassis for providing optical target acquisition;   a light source mounted on the chassis for providing illumination of at least a selected area of the target, wherein the light source has an intensity sufficient to illuminate the selected area to the extent required for the camera to provide an image of the selected area; and   a light source activator operative to activate the light source when the target scene illuminance falls below a predetermined level.